CEAIT Festival: Iannis Xenakis: Now and Tomorrow

“A romantic revolutionary who comes as close to being an avant-garde superhero as we are ever likely to get.” —Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Premieres

Co-presented with the Center for Experiments in Art, Information and Technology

Three scintillating concerts mix electronic and high-tech sound events with extraordinary instrumental pieces by Iannis Xenakis, the legendary pioneer of music and architecture. Celebrating the way Xenakis forged new paths of hearing and seeing, these three different programs feature new pieces by composers inspired by Xenakis along with the artist’s own multi-channel electronic works, game strategy pieces, landmark instrumental compositions, and his arresting Pour la Paix, a gripping statement about war for actors with choir and electronic sounds. Guest artists include renowned cellist Rohan de Saram, composer Curtis Roads, and remix and sound artist Takuro Mizuta Lippit (aka dj sniff).

In addition to the performances, A Forum: Hearing and Seeing Xenakis features guest speakers interspersed with world-premiere videos of Xenakis’ own commentary and demonstrations. These pre-concert presentations take place Saturday, Jan. 29 (3:00pm; featured guests: Rohan de Saram, James Harley, Curtis Roads, Wolfgang v. Schweinitz) and Sunday, Jan. 30 (1:00pm; featured guests: Sharon Kanach, Carey Lovelace, Robert Wannamaker). Ahmanson Auditorium, MOCA Grand Avenue. Mention this Forum at the entrance to receive admission to MOCA-Grand Ave. at no charge.